Panel of printed camlet

Unknown

late 17th century · Wool; warp-faced plain weave, printed · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Printed Profusion In comparison to silk, wool could be readily dyed in a range of deep colors, was cheaper, easier to work with, and more hard-wearing. Known as camlets, plain woven, ribbed worsted woolens, like the two seen here, were printed with patterns imitating much pricier damasks. Although they have different provenance, both panels repeat versions of the same popular foliate pattern. Likely woven in Norwich, on the Norfolk coast, the camlets were sent to London for printing.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 17th century

Medium

Wool; warp-faced plain weave, printed

Culture

British, Surrey

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Rogers Fund and Contributions for Acquisitions for the Textile Study Room, 1982